Indian Navy to soon get its 15th Advanced Stealth Frigate
Indian Navy is poised to significantly enhance its naval capabilities with the imminent induction of INS Tamal as its 15th frigate.
This is the second advanced stealth frigate built in Russia under the 2016 Indo-Russian agreement for four upgraded Krivak-III (Talwar-class) frigates.
INS Tamal is a 3,900-ton, 125-meter-long multi-role stealth frigate, capable of blue water operations across all dimensions of naval warfare-air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic.
It features a high degree of automation and stealth, with signature reduction measures across radar, infrared, and acoustic spectrums to enhance survivability in modern combat environments.
The main weapons systems onboard INS Tamal include:
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles
Vertically-Launched Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles
76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM)
Indigenous Triple Torpedo Launchers (ITTL) for 324mm Torpedoes
Advanced Anti-Submarine Rockets
Capability To Operate Multi-Role Helicopters
Anti-Submarine Warfare
Sensors And Automation
This combination of missile, gun, torpedo, and anti-submarine systems ensures that INS Tamal is capable of engaging threats across air, surface, and sub-surface domains, making it a formidable asset for the Indian Navy.
INS Tamal will be officially handed over to the Indian Navy on May 28, 2025, at Kaliningrad, following the successful completion of sea trials and weapon firings.
The frigate is expected to be commissioned into service by June 2025. Its sister ship INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024 and has already arrived at its home port in Karwar after a lengthy voyage of over 10000 km from Russia.
INS Tamal represents a major leap in Indian Navy’s maritime power projection, combining advanced Russian shipbuilding with Indian weaponry and systems integration.
Its commissioning will further strengthen the Indian Navy’s ability to operate across the full spectrum of naval warfare, ensuring strategic dominance in the region.
The four-ship deal was signed in 2016, with two frigates (INS Tushil and INS Tamal) to be built in Russia, while the remaining two (Triput and Tavasya) to be constructed at Goa Shipyard in India with technology transfer.
This year Indian Navy is going to receive its 16th and 17th Frigate also ie INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri.
By early 2027 the frigate strength of Indian Navy will be reaching 23 against minimum ideal strength of 32 frigates. The Navy should be reaching this ideal figure by 2033.
